Today we’d like to introduce you to Erishyll Isidro.
Erishyll, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started photographing at the end of 2015 during Christmas time when I had been gifted my first DSLR camera from my wife. She knew I had wanted one for a very long time and what was funny was that she didn’t think I was ever going to use it. I started asking friends if they would model for me if I could photograph aspects of their life for free, and that’s how I grew my clientele. I was shooting for free for about a year and then I started shooting professionally in 2017. Throughout this time, I was going to nursing school to get my BSN and teaching myself the ins and out’s of photography. I spent many hours on YouTube, buying courses to learn how to edit, tutorials on posing, etc. just to better my craft.
I would message other photographers and try to network with them to see if they had any tips on lighting, best camera settings to shoot on, how to photograph a wedding, etc. Fast-forward today, I was able to get my name out there with the help of my amazing clients. I was able to quit my full-time nursing job, obtain my LLC, and now do what I love most, creating art. It has been a tough journey, but I would not change it one bit. I would not be here if it were not for my wife getting me my first DSLR and all my clients that have supported me throughout the years.
I am passionate about what I do because of them their long-lasting support and my passion for capturing intimate, precious moments.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I wouldn’t say it was easy getting to today. Some of the struggles I encountered over the years were potential clients not giving me a chance, not knowing how to market myself, and definitely dealing with imposter syndrome. Another struggle I had was making money. Even though I had a full job at the time, I still wasn’t making enough money from the business to get all the supplies I need like camera gear, SD cards, and hard drives.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I believe most of my clients would call me a wedding and portrait photographer. I love love love all my couples and new couples that inquire with me. I love a good destination elopement! One of my goals for my business is to travel more, photograph couples in the mountains, on beaches, in different states and countries, etc. I focus my business more on the couple’s side if you couldn’t tell, but I also love an amazing studio session. With studio sessions, that’s where I can get really creative and make my ideas come to life. I think I am most proud of the elopement I photographed in Pittsburg, PA.
The bride and I went to college together, and a year or so after graduation I had found out she had gotten engaged. Of course, I congratulated her and at that time she was looking for a photographer so I had told her that I photograph elopements. After that, she had booked me to fly out there. Their elopement was absolutely sweet and romantic and just overall amazing. It was in their backyard with just immediate family and you could just feel the love that day. After delivering their photos. I felt a sense of pride. I was so proud of myself for creating something special for them and they both felt as equally proud as I was. I think what sets me apart from others is my ability to make friends.
Every single client I have ever shot for, we have become best of friends. We hang out together, check up on each other, and chat just to chat. I also started a tradition to request a dance with the bride at each wedding I photograph.
Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I always say you have to “risk it for the biscuit”. I am currently in a course to help better my business and one of the things he teaches is risk-taking. If you are not willing to take a chance on something, how will you not know whether it is good for you or not? Especially in the business aspect, I would say, personally for me, risking taking is never as worse than never knowing what could be because it will be yourself holding you back from the greatness you could potentially become. For example, changing my prices every couple of years is a risk for me. It may not be to some others, but it’s the fear of getting no bookings because of my pricing.
But, that is something I had to work through and definitely continue to work through to this day, especially with going full-time photography. Just even going full-time photography was an absolute huge risk, mainly financially. But, I am so glad I did and now that I took the risk, I can steer myself in the direction I want to go with my business and my life. Risk it for the biscuit!
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.erishyllmaephotography.com
- Instagram: @erishyllmphotography
- Facebook: Erishyll Mae Photography LLC
